December 15, 2011
2011/2012 Team Preview:
Secaucus Patriots
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For the past four seasons few teams in North Jersey could match the one-two combination of Andrea Innis and Shanon Waters. Led on their shoulders, Secaucus won 22 games and advance to the semifinals of the Hudson County Tournament.
Both of these career 1,500-point scorers are gone now as the Patriots look to a group of six to help fill the considerable void left by their graduation.
“We’re going to need everybody to chip in with points because we graduated more than 3,500 points between Andrea and Shannon,” head coach John Sterling said. “That’s a ton of points to make up.
“II think our girls are anxious to get started and anxious to show that although we lost two fabulous players there’s other players with good ability ready to step in and continue our winning ways.”
In Waters’ and Innis’ spots step in a new potentially dynamic freshman duo with Andie Lennon and Julia McClure.
Lennon, a speedy 5-foot-3 point guard, is being looked upon to run the offense and bring outside shooting. McClure, a 5-foot-6 wing has the ability to guard multiple positions and a physical slasher on the offensive end.
“I wouldn’t say she has one set position. She’ll play both guard and forward for us,” Sterling said. “She’s very tough and strong, she can cover an inside player and she can cover a guard because she’s fast. She’s just a very, very good athlete.”
McClure and Lennon will have support on the court as they are joined in the starting lineup by a trio of three-year starters.
Shooting guard Alyssa Lyngholm, the lone senior on the roster, is a 3-point threat and earned praise from Sterling for her ability to do the little things on the court, in particular her willingness to take charges on defenses. Wing player Danielle Roesing is another who can do multiple things on the court, averaging more than two assists and steals per game last season.
“Danielle Roesing is solid and has great anticipation,” Sterling said. “She’s not as quick as some of the other girls, but she gets a lot of steals and is in the right place a lot of times. She’s a good perimeter shooter.”
Five-foot-seven Ariana Simon (5.2 points, 5.2 rebounds per game) is the Patriots’ top interior presence and a double-double threat whenever she takes the court.
“Ariana Simon is an excellent defender,” Sterling said. “She’s really been working hard, playing some good defense in the post and she’s a good athlete so she cover pretty much anyone that we want to put her on.”
Junior Lauren Guillen will once again log heavy minutes as the sixth man and provides solid defense and outside shooting. Junior forward Danielle Mitchell is elevated into the next bench spot.
Sophomore Bryonna McClure (Julia’s sister), is the backup point guard. Freshmen Kendall Caruso and Ashlee Bayon along with sophomore Chelsea Kessler bring added depth.
2011-12 Secaucus |
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| Ariana Simon |
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| 2010/2011: 22-5 |
| County Playoffs: |
First Round: vs Memorial 60-20 (W)
Quarterfinals: vs Kearny 72-59 (W)
Semifinals: vs North Bergen 50-38 (L) |
| State Playoffs: (North 2, Group I) |
First Round: vs University 56-36 (L)
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| Projected Starting Lineup (*RS) |
| PG |
Andie Lennon |
5'3" |
FR |
| SG |
Alyssa Lyngholm* |
5'4" |
SR |
| G/F |
Julia McClure |
5'6" |
FR |
| F |
Danielle Roesing* |
5'4" |
JR |
| F |
Ariana Simon* |
5'7" |
JR |
| Key Reserves |
| G |
Lauren Guillen |
5'5" |
JR |
| F |
Danielle Mitchell |
5'3" |
JR |
| G/F |
Kendall Caruso |
5'5" |
FR |
| G/F |
Ashlee Bayon |
5'4" |
FR |
| G |
Bryonna McClure |
5'0" |
SO |
| F |
Chelsea Kessler |
5'7" |
SO |
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